MMA System: I Will Be Pound For Pound Goat

Chapter 300 Crazy Improvements II

As Damon and Ash circled each other on the mats, they locked eyes and tensed up their bodies.

Their feet slid across the mat, making sounds, They were both waiting for the other to make the first move.

Damon knew not to underestimate Ash.

Ash's foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was solid, a combination of precision and years of experience.

Unlike Ty, who relied on raw wrestling power and a bit of methodical, Ash was methodical, always three steps ahead when it came to grappling exchanges.

This didn't help that he was fighting someone clearly stronger than him, so he had to use his mind more.

Damon adjusted his stance, staying light on his feet, his arms loose but ready.

He wasn't the same fighter he had been before Thailand.

His time there had sharpened his striking to an elite level.

Groundwork had become his priority since returning.

He'd realized that what worked on The Supreme Fighter wouldn't cut it against the killers climbing the UFA ranks.

Ash lunged forward, faking a low single-leg takedown before snapping back to test Damon's reaction.

Damon didn't flinch, keeping his posture balanced and his weight centered.

"Good," Ash spoke in a calm and direct tone. "You've gotten better at not biting on feints."

Damon smirked. "I've had good teachers."

Ash didn't give him time to gloat. He shot in again, this time going for a deep single-leg takedown.

Damon sprawled hard, flattening Ash's attempt and shifting his hips to stay on top.

But Ash wouldn't give up. He transitioned easily and reached for Damon's waist to do a switch.

Damon felt the shift and reacted quickly. He dropped his chest onto Ash's back, hooking a leg to prevent the transition.

Ash, unfazed, twisted his body, using his flexibility to create a scramble.

He managed to slip out from underneath, reversing the position to take Damon's back.

His hooks were in fast, his arms snaking around Damon's neck like a coiled viper.

Damon's instincts kicked in. He tucked his chin, grabbing Ash's arm with both hands to break the grip.

Ash adjusted, threatening to sink in the rear-naked choke.

Damon shifted his weight forward and rolled, breaking Ash's hooks and landing in his guard.

"Nice escape," Ash said, his voice calm despite the pace.

Damon adjusted, his forearm grinding against Ash's jaw as he tried to sink in the choke.

Ash grunted, twisting his body to shake Damon off.

It almost worked, but Damon held his position, transitioning to a body triangle to lock Ash down.

The seconds ticked by, both men fighting for dominance in a battle of wills.

Finally, Ash tapped the mat twice, signaling the end of the round.

Damon released the hold and rolled to his feet, extending a hand to help Ash up.

Both men were drenched in sweat, their chests heaving as they caught their breath.

"That," Ash said, wiping his face with his arm, "was some serious improvement."

Damon grinned, leaning on his knees as he steadied his breathing. "Told you I've been working on it."

Ash nodded, a genuine smile on his face. "Keep that up, and you'll be a problem for anyone on the ground."

Damon stood tall, the exhaustion in his muscles tempered by the satisfaction of knowing he was getting better.

The training was brutal, but it was paying off. With each session, he inched closer to becoming the complete fighter he aspired to be.

"Alright," Ash said, clapping Damon on the back. "Who's next?"

Damon smirked. "Let's go again."

Ty leaned back against the wall, sipping his water with a casual grin. "I'm good," he said, waving off the suggestion to jump back in immediately.

Ash plopped down beside him, wiping sweat off his brow with a towel. "How about a fifteen-minute break, then we go again? This time, Jiu-Jitsu rules, no light strikes."

Damon rolled his eyes. Strikes? Those rules only applied to Ash, who had a habit of throwing harmless taps during spars just to disrupt your rhythm.

It was about breaking focus, and Ash was annoyingly good at it.

Before Damon could respond, his attention shifted as Edward walked up to him.

The guy was drenched in sweat, his shirt sticking to his back, a sign that he'd been putting in work elsewhere.

Edward clapped a hand on Damon's shoulder, a sly grin on his face. "Hey, D, the guys over there–" he gestured to a small group of trainees huddled near the corner, "–they want you to teach them that move you pulled off in your last fight."

Damon raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Them, or you?"

Edward laughed, his grin widening. "Alright, fine. I won't lie, I planted the seed. But I'm not the only one curious. Come on, that kick was a masterpiece."

Damon nodded thoughtfully, his lips curving into a small smile. "Alright, but how about we make it a trade secret?"

Edward tilted his head, intrigued. "Trade secret?"

"I teach you guys the move," Damon explained, "but you've gotta show me something in return, something I don't know yet."